Elections Lessons and Teacher Resources

Introduction:

“Election Day in the United States is the day set by law for the election of public officials. For federal offices (United States Congress, President and Vice President), it occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years; the earliest possible date is November 2 and the latest November 8. Presidential elections are held every four years, while elections to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate are held every two years. General elections in which presidential candidates are not on the ballot are referred to as midterm elections. … Many state and local government offices are also elected on Election Day as a matter of convenience and cost saving, although a handful of states hold elections for state offices (such as governor) during odd-numbered ‘off years.’ … Election Day is a civic holiday in some states, including Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.“ – Wikipedia

Lesson Plans:

• Here’s detailed lesson plan on elections, government, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights (3-6)
• The importance of voting is the topic of this lesson using “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” (K-2)
• These three lesson plans all deal with presidential elections (various grade levels):
  • Lesson One
  • Lesson Two
  • Lesson Three

• Here is a lesson on presidential campaigns
• This is a social studies lesson on campaigns in the classroom
• Here is a social studies lesson involving writing letters to the president
• This lesson is on John F. Kennedy, the 1960 election vs. the 2000 election, and foreign policy (9-12)
• A good lesson on delivering Persuasive Speeches (as Presidential Candidates) that also teaches Presidential History (6-8)
• In this multi-disciplinary lesson, students conduct the entire election process from scientifically picking a cookie candidate to campaign and vote for – through tallying the votes (1)
• Here’s an election year idea: students watch televised candidate debates and then hold their own (4-8)
• In this election idea, students make “T” charts of the candidate’s views on issues, and vote based on “Just the Facts” (8)
• This is an outstanding presidential campaign/electoral college lesson (9-12)
• Here are two election/constitution worksheets concerning the Executive Branch and political parties (8-11)
• The history of voting rights in the U.S. is presented here and in the next lesson (K-5)
• Here the difference between voting in 1800 and the importance of voting now is demonstrated (2)
• This lesson “Maps the Vote” (5-7)
• This electoral college lesson focuses on representation in democracies (7-8)
• This is a short and sweet multidisciplinary pre-school election lesson (P)
• Here is a great election idea from a combined pre-school/after school care facility (P-12)
• This ice cream election idea also has good book suggestions (K)
• This is a 10-lesson Teen Voting/Civic Engagement Unit from Do Something, Inc.(9-12)
  • Students learn about why people get involved in their communities
  • Students will discuss the role of citizens in a democracy
  • Students learn about the system of representation in a democracy
  • Students learn how holding a political office effects change
  • Students learn about social capital and how to use networking for civic action
  • Students learn how cartoons and satire raise concerns about an issue
  • Students earn about the strategies of unionizing and boycotting
  • Students learn how jury duty is a type of civic engagement
  • Students learn how the written word is a method of civic action
  • Students learn how speeches can gather support for community change
     
• This judicial voting lesson features the case of Three Little Pigs vs. The Wolf (1-2)
• Here a Student Representative Council For the Bands is created (7-12)
• This is a lesson on voting and holding office (9-12)
• This is an outline of an election lesson (9-12)
• Students hold a mock election here after preparing a report on voting and the current presidential election (3)
• Here students work with primary sources to evaluate the efficacy of arguments and tactics used by woman suffragists to create change (9-12)